Craig McKinnis joins Texas Financial Educators Council advisory board

The Texas Financial Educators Council has named author and financial strategist Craig McKinnis to its expert Advisory Board. The move adds a financial services and education veteran as TFEC expands outreach aimed at helping Texans build practical financial capability.

Why it matters: - Craig McKinnis brings experience across banking, mortgage, compliance and investor education to a board focused on financial literacy. - TFEC is looking to strengthen programs that help beginners, first-generation investors and working adults move from financial awareness to action. - The appointment supports broader efforts to make financial education more practical, accessible and behavior-focused.

What happened: - The Texas Financial Educators Council announced that Craig McKinnis will serve on its expert Advisory Board. - McKinnis is the author of Get Good at Money: A Beginner’s Guide to Investing. - McKinnis has worked in top-level operations and compliance roles in the banking, mortgage and automotive finance industries. - His background includes roles with Saxon Mortgage, Exeter Finance, Citi and Wells Fargo. - McKinnis currently works as a VP – Data Analyst Consultant at Wells Fargo.

The details: - McKinnis holds a BS in Economics from Illinois State University. - He also holds certification in Consumer Credit Compliance from the NAF. - McKinnis wrote his book to help beginning investors overcome anxiety and intimidation about entering the market. - His approach emphasizes systems, consistency and practical action instead of information overload. - McKinnis built the Get Good at Money brand to make money management and investing fundamentals easier to understand for beginners and working adults. - The brand focuses on plain-language education, behavior change, practical next steps and a long-term mindset. - The Money Ministry media platform extends those ideas in podcast form. - McKinnis said community organizations can serve as trusted bridges to people who need financial education most. - He said schools, nonprofits and community groups can help turn financial literacy into practical, lasting capability. - He said access to quality financial education resources gives more people the confidence to take meaningful financial action. - Vince Shorb, CEO of the National Financial Educators Council, said McKinnis understands both institutional financial systems and the barriers everyday people face when trying to build wealth. - Shorb said McKinnis’ experience will help TFEC advance education that is clear, trustworthy and useful for Texans at different stages of their financial lives.

Between the lines: - TFEC appears to be prioritizing board members who can connect institutional knowledge with public-facing financial education. - McKinnis’ focus on behavior change suggests TFEC may continue leaning into practical literacy, not just classroom-style instruction. - The appointment also signals an emphasis on partnerships with schools, nonprofits and community groups that already have local trust.

What’s next: - McKinnis plans to support outreach and education efforts aimed at improving financial capability across Texas. - His priority initiatives include college and university programs, community workshops, financial literacy discussions, media education and collaboration with groups serving beginning investors. - TFEC said it expects a long-term and productive partnership with McKinnis. - TFEC operates as a state chapter of the National Financial Educators Council, which provides research-based training, certification programs and turnkey resources for financial education advocates and organizations. - More information - More information - More information - More information - More information

The bottom line: - TFEC is adding a board member whose background blends corporate finance, compliance and beginner-focused financial education.